This room has was created from the end of a garage space and started with nothing but a high level ventilation slot at the back of the house. Yet this is the side of the house backing onto an amazing London forest.

The beautiful wooden lined ‘viewing port’ now sets up this large window as both a seat and a picture frame. Whether the window is closed or open, the view is unobstructed.

When closed the super slim dynamic frame tucks away to be invisible from inside. When open, the dynamic frame is up above, well out of view. Thus the frame is invisible whether open or closed, and the only difference between closed and open is the breeze and the birdsong. It takes 25 seconds for the window to complete its cycle.

When open the window can also act as a rain shield, so on the balmy days of summer, the sweet smell of rain and the patter on the leaves can drift into the room, or be sealed out.

Small but powerful hydraulic rams are used to open and close the 180kg window. These rams are tucked unobtrusively into the corners to give a neat finish. Gas struts were offered as a cheaper option. However, deciding to spend a little more for the hydraulic ram system the client consequently got a very clean view.

An emergency manual back-up hand pump can open or close the window in case of system or power failure.

Crane access was very awkward, with a huge tree overhead and little solid ground for lifting equipment. The entire system was therefore designed to be lifted in and installed by hand.